The US President and his Colombian counterpart have turned up the volume in their verbal conflict, heightening strains between the two countries after American military units attacked Venezuela in an operation to oust Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro from his position.
"He has narcotics facilities and cocaine factories and that won't last much longer," the US president stated.
Escalating Threats and Allegations
Talking to the press on Sunday, the US president hinted at analogous military action towards the South American nation, asserting Colombia is also "very ill" and “run by an unwell individual who likes making cocaine and distributing it to the United States."
While Colombia stands as the world’s largest producer of cocaine, authorities have found no indication that President Gustavo Petro, the nation's current leader, is in any way tied to the illicit industry.
A Deteriorating Alliance
The country was historically a close partner of the US in the fight against narcotics trade and received bipartisan support from American politicians, but relations have deteriorated markedly since Trump was elected.
The nation's drug trade is predominantly run by criminal organizations such as one major cartel, the National Liberation Army (ELN) and renegade units of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (Farc), a large contingent of whom laid down arms following a landmark accord.
Colombia's Defiant Rebuttal
In response to a query whether a military operation similar to Venezuela was being considered regarding Colombia, Trump responded: "It sounds good from my perspective."
The Colombian leader, an ex-guerrilla fighter who demobilised in the last century, rejected the accusations. "I am no an illegitimate leader and certainly not a narco," he stated.
"Trump speaks without information. Stop slandering me," he expressed online.
"Should American forces attack civilians, they will become thousands of guerrillas in the mountains. If they capture the nation's leader, whom many of Colombians holds in high esteem, they will provoke the ‘jaguar’ of the populace," the president cautioned.
From Insurgent to Leader
The president dedicated some years as a young man participating in the left-wing M-19 insurgent movement though it is believed that he never engaged in fighting. After demobilizing, he took part in creating the nation's constitution in the early 90s and eventually served as a respected lawmaker. He was mayor of Bogotá before being elected president.
"I pledged to never again hold a weapon again ... but for the homeland I shall resume the fight," he vowed.
Heightened Measures and Cross-Political Rejection
The Colombian defence minister announced that Petro's security detail was strengthened.
Many among Colombia’s political right have expressed support with Trump, but voices from all sides of Colombian politics have rejected the possibility of a US attack on Colombia.
Diplomatic and Financial Sanctions
American authorities withdrew the president's entry visa subsequent to he encouraged US troops to refuse any illegal orders. In October, authorities imposed financial sanctions targeting Petro, his wife and several key allies.
Concurrently the US was building up its troop levels in the region and bombing vessels thought to carry drugs to pressure Venezuela’s Maduro, US forces executed strikes against vessels off the Pacific coast off the Colombian coast.
